Intelligence warned of Russian terrorist attacks in the temporarily occupied territories of the Kherson region during the "elections"

Russian intelligence agencies may stage high-profile provocations and terrorist attacks in the temporarily occupied territories of the Kherson region, making them appear to be the work of Ukrainian forces.

As warned by Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, the likelihood of such scenarios increases during the days of the illegal elections to the Russian State Duma and the forced “early voting” in the temporarily occupied territories.

Intelligence officials note that the Kremlin may use this to justify intensifying repression against residents of the occupied territories, a new wave of mobilization in Russia, and, at the same time, to derail the U.S.-mediated peace process. 

During the active voting period from September 18 to 20, there is a risk of explosions at polling stations or ballot collection points, acts of sabotage targeting transportation and infrastructure, as well as assassination attempts on collaborators. 

The State Security Service (SZR) urged residents of the temporarily occupied territories to avoid places of mass gatherings, “polling stations,” administrative buildings involved in the voting process, and military facilities of the occupying forces from September 17 to 21.

Elections to the ninth convocation of the Russian State Duma will take place on September 20, 2026, and voting will last three days—from September 18 to 20. Regional and local elections will be held simultaneously in Russia.

Russia also plans to hold voting in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities consider such “elections” to be illegal and without legal consequences.

In addition, Russia intends to open polling stations in Transnistria for the State Duma elections in numbers exceeding the agreed-upon limit. Moldova is preparing a note of protest to Moscow.

Ірина Глухова